The partners will explore successful examples of existing neighbourhood health centres and address the commissioning and contracting barriers that often prevent co-location and shared use of space, and develop practical recommendations for strategic commissioners, NHS trusts, primary care, local government and the voluntary sector. 

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘There is a real challenge around primary and community estates in this country that we must solve if the Government's ambitions to co-locate both NHS and other local services in neighbourhood health centres is to become a reality.  

‘Through our partnership with CHP we will work with members to confront the challenges and find new ways of working to deliver the changes needed to enable better use of community infrastructure to deliver care closer to home.'

Wendy Farrington-Chadd, chief executive of CHP, said: ‘Our partnership with the NHS Confederation will enable us to share key insight and real examples from our work to support the delivery of neighbourhood care at pace.'

A policy report based on member engagement is expected in the coming months.